Ladies Ride a Huge Success (for Dad Too)!
By Marc Hildesheim, NOHVCC Project Manager
I will be completely honest, as a Dad to two daughters, I often find myself completely confused as to what they are talking about. I don’t understand Minecraft, can’t help with make-up, and can barely put hair in a functional pony tail. My wife will tell you it is because I am not listening, but the truth is that my art and craft skills are vastly inferior to hers. I topped out at gluing macaroni to paper in Kindergarten. In our household the common language is dirt bikes. Finding events where we can share that passion is a major win for all of us, which is why I was so excited for my family to participate in the Dusty Cleavage Women’s Ride outside St. Maries, ID on October 7th, 2018. 
The ride started over 10 years ago when a couple of great local riders, Tia Flynn and Lori Jordan, organized it as members of the Panhandle Trail Riders Association (PANTRA). The ride is still sponsored by PANTRA and many great local businesses but is currently hosted by Stix and Stones Off-Road. The event is a fun ride, not a competitive event, and is a great chance for women to come together to share their love of riding. I was only allowed to tag along to make sure my two daughters, 12 and 6 years old, and my wife did not have problems on the course. It soon became evident that they had the course nailed and I was relegated to hanging out in camp with our infant son.
The few laps I did get to participate in were extremely enjoyable. There were girls of all ages and riding ability on the course just having a good time. There were volunteers along the difficult sections of the course offering assistance and encouragement. My wife said, “It really makes you feel like you are riding well when you have someone clap for you.” I had a smile on my face the entire time and so did my girls.
There were 50 or more women participating in the ride held at the X-mas Hills Riding Area. The ride was followed by an outstanding potluck lunch and awards ceremony. The support of the event was so great that every participant left with a prize ranging from helmets and gear bags to high quality hooded sweatshirts from Off-Road Vixens, a local company that reminds everyone that “girls get dirty too.”
This was an outstanding event and I can’t wait to take my family back next year. It is great to have an event that we can share as a family, and that provides such great encouragement to female riders. To find out more about the event you can visit its Facebook page here.
Congratulations on such a great event!